Anemia
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Northern Medical Group Gastroenterology Division
GASTROENTEROLOGY PRACTICE LOCATED IN POUGHKEEPSIE, NY, FISHKILL, NY & HIGHLAND, NY
The blood of people with anemia does not carry enough oxygen throughout the body. People afflicted with anemia feel tired, dizzy, cold, and irritable. They may be short of breath or experience headaches. The board-certified gastroenterology team at Northern Medical Group Gastroenterology Division treats patients with anemia at their offices in Poughkeepsie, Fishkill, New York. Give the team a call or use the online booking tool to request an appointment today.
Anemia Q & A
What is anemia?
Anemia occurs when your body doesn’t make enough red blood cells, when bleeding causes you to lose more red blood cells than it can replace, or if your body destroys red blood cells. As a result, you feel tired and weak. Anemia can be mild or severe, short-lived or long-lasting, and it may be a sign of more serious health problems.
What are the different types of anemia?
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia around the world, caused by a shortage of iron in the body. Other types of anemia include vitamin deficiency anemia, anemia of chronic diseases, such as cancer or Crohn’s disease, or anemia of bone marrow disease.
What causes anemia?
Three common causes of anemia are a lack of red blood cell production, blood loss, and red blood cell destruction. Several conditions may cause anemia, including a heavy menstrual flow, pregnancy, colon cancer or polyps, ulcers, Crohn’s Disease, or inherited disorders. If your diet is lacking iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12, you may also end up with anemia.
What are the symptoms of anemia?
Symptoms of anemia vary depending on the type and cause of your anemia. At first, anemia symptoms may be so mild they go undetected, but they worsen as the ailment progresses. Common symptoms include:
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Irregular heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Headache
- Cold hands
If you’re concerned about any of these symptoms, call the team today and schedule an appointment to get your symptoms assessed.
How is anemia diagnosed and treated?
Your physician at Northern Medical Group Gastroenterology Division conducts a physical exam with blood tests to diagnose anemia and determine the appropriate treatment. If you’re diagnosed with anemia, your doctor may order extra tests to determine the cause and rule out other problems such as colon cancer, kidney disease, ulcers, or tumors.
The team provides comprehensive treatments to address the underlying cause of your anemia. They might recommend dietary changes or medication to heal your digestive tract, reduce inflammation, and restore your health.
If you’re generally healthy but looking paler than usual, feeling weak or tired, and you can’t quite figure out why, call the office today for an appointment.